Formation of Mineral Resources Flashcards
What are some common ore minerals for iron?
Hematite, goethite and magnetite
What metal is commonly used in the cathode of lithium-ion batteries?
Nickel
What mineral is commonly used as a lithium source in batteries?
Spodumene
What is an ore deposit types commonly associated with ancient Precambrian rocks?
BIF
How can iron deposits form?
Through igneous, sedimentary or metamorphic processes
What are ironstones?
Sedimentary deposits that formed in shallow marine environments
What is a major environmental concern related to lithium brine extraction?
It consumes large amounts of freshwater
Which type of iron ore deposit forms through residual weathering in hot, wet climates?
Laterites
What is the dominant oxidation state of iron in hematite (Fe2O3)?
Fe3+
What is a critical mineral?
A material with high demand, limited supply and low recycling rate
Which process is primarily involved in the formation of Ni-sulphide deposits?
Magmatic segregation
What are some of the factors affecting ore mineability?
Minerology, grade, grain size/texture, size and depth of deposit, geographic location and possible by-products
What is the relative solubility or ferrous ions (Fe2+) and what minerals does it form?
Soluble
Forms siderite (FeCO3) and chamosite (Fe(Si,Al)2O5(OH)4)
What is the relative solubility or ferric ions (Fe3+) and what minerals does it form?
Insoluble
Forms hematite (Fe2O3) and goethite (FeOOH)
What are bog iron deposits?
Small, no longer mined but historically important, Fe mobilised as Fe2+ in swamps, transported in organic-rich near-surface waters, enter oxygen rick lakes and oxidised to Fe3+ and precipitates
How much iron is produced per year?
2.3+ million tons or iron ore
What are some key battery elements?
Manganese, aluminium, nickel, copper, cobalt and lithium
What is the crustal abundance and uses of manganese?
0.095% abundance
Iron and steel industry, water treatment and purification and key component in lithium cathode battery
What is the abundance of aluminium?
8.2%
What is bauxite?
Aluminium ore formed in hot, wet environments by soils rich in Al to form pisolitic texture
What is the abundance of nickel and its uses?
0.0072%, improves durability and corrosion resistance of steel
How are nickel deposits formed?
Magmatic segregation, Ni-rich laterites in hot humid environments
What are some common ore minerals of copper?
Chalcopyrite (CuFeS2), Enargite (Cu3AsS4) and bornite (Cu5FeS4)
What are the three types of deposit in tectonic settings?
Magmatic segregation, hydrothermal deposits and sediment-hosted stratiform deposits
Where is the majority of lithium extracted from?
Pegmatites and brines
What is cobalt mined from?
Ni-laterites, Ni-sulphide deposits and stratiform Cu-belt deposits
